ILOILO City – In preparation for the implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 11982, also known as the Expanded Centenarians Act, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is requesting local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas to submit lists of senior citizens aged 80, 85, 90, and 95 years old.
Marien Grace Tamonan, head of DSWD Region 6’s Social Pension Section, said the department, in collaboration with LGUs, is currently profiling seniors within this age range to determine their eligibility for cash incentive.
She emphasized the importance of these lists for the upcoming implementation of the Expanded Centenarians Act, noting that the exact date for the Act’s implementation is yet to be determined as they await the finalization of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).
The Expanded Centenarians Act, signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on February 26, 2024 extends a P10,000 cash incentive to Filipinos reaching the ages of 80, 85, 90, and 95, in addition to the P100,000 granted upon reaching 100 years old.
This Act amends the original Centenarians Act of 2016, which only provided a cash gift to those who reached 100 years old, reflecting a commitment to the value of compassion towards the elderly in Filipino culture.
The National Commission of Senior Citizens under the Office of the President has been designated as the lead implementing agency for RA 11982.
Additionally, DSWD-6 is managing the ongoing social pension payouts to senior citizens. Out of a target of 385,954 beneficiaries for the first half of the year, 182,108 have already received their pensions, following the release of P1,092,648,000 in funds.
The breakdown of target beneficiaries and those who have received their pension across various provinces and cities in Western Visayas is as follows:
* Aklan – 46,148 targeted, 26,005 served with P156,030,000 disbursed
* Antique – 41,972 targeted, 22,687 served with P137,268,000 disbursed
* Capiz – 56,265 targeted, 26,300 served with P157,800,000 disbursed
* Guimaras – 14,767 targeted, 5,890 served with P35,340,000 disbursed
* Iloilo City – 13,676 targeted, none served yet
* Iloilo – 152,748 targeted, 75,911 served with P455,466,000 disbursed
* Bacolod City – 5,975 targeted, none served yet
* Negros Occidental – 54,403 targeted, 25,044 served with P150,264,000 disbursed.
The Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPICS) program, initiated in 2010 through Republic Act 994, aims to augment the daily expenses and medical needs of indigent senior citizens aged 60 and above who have no regular income, family support, or pension from private or government institutions.
This program aligns with the government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable sectors through social protection measures./PN
